Contactless control of medical systems
Inventors
Burion, Steve Denis • Liu, Henry Hong Lin
Assignees
Publication Number
US-9387049-B2
Publication Date
2016-07-12
Expiration Date
2032-08-06
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for contactless control of a medical imaging system. A medical image can be acquired and displayed, and an aspect of the image can be altered based on a tracked position of a user body part. The user can be sensed by a sensing device, and the user body part tracked by a tracking unit in a first processing unit. A second processing unit can be coupled to the first processing unit and can have a control unit for controlling the medical imaging system.
Core Innovation
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for contactless control of a medical imaging system. A medical image can be acquired and displayed, and an aspect of the image can be altered based on the tracked position of a user’s body part, such as a hand or wrist. A user is sensed by a sensing device, with the user’s body part tracked by a tracking unit in a first processing unit. A second processing unit, coupled to the first, has a control unit for controlling the medical imaging system, including definition of a control zone and relaying control commands.
This approach addresses the problem faced during interventional or image-guided procedures, where maintaining sterility is essential and traditional control methods like touching a stylus or screen are undesirable due to contamination risks. The invention offers a contactless, human-computer interaction alternative, enabling the physician to control aspects of the imaging system, such as region of interest (ROI), without direct physical interaction, thereby avoiding the need for sterilization or complex maneuvering during procedures.
The system can define control zones at a fixed location relative to the user or at a predetermined point in space, with the ability to customize the size and shape of the zone. The control process allows real-time or simulated adjustment of ROIs and other image options, utilizing tracked body part activity within the control zone to activate and implement desired changes in the medical imaging system.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent claim defining the core inventive features for contactless control of a medical imaging system.
Contactless alteration of a medical image using tracked body part activity
A method comprising: - Acquiring a medical image from a medical imaging system. - Displaying the medical image. - Establishing a control zone within an accessible distance from a user. - Tracking activity of a first body part of the user within the control zone. - Altering the medical image based on the tracked activity in the control zone.
The independent claim covers the essential aspect of contactless control for medical imaging systems by establishing a control zone, tracking user body part activity within that zone, and altering the medical image correspondingly.
Stated Advantages
Enables the physician to control the region of interest or other equipment parameters of a medical imaging system without risk of contamination or need for time-consuming processes during an interventional or operating-room procedure.
Provides a contact-free method and apparatus for region of interest definition and related commands in an operating room where sterility must be maintained.
Allows flexibility in system positioning and user interaction by defining control zones relative to the user's body or fixed spatial points.
Reduces unnecessary exposure to areas outside the region of interest by enabling the user to preview and edit simulated regions of interest before implementation.
Documented Applications
Contactless control of medical imaging systems, including intraoperative and interventional settings, for adjusting image aspects such as region of interest without physical contact.
Hands-free manipulation of medical image acquisition parameters and region of interest during image-guided surgical or interventional procedures in environments requiring high sterility.
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